Sorry I don't know anything about the Android app, but yes you can do it on a PC:
https://support.chess.com/article/684-how-can-i-play-the-computer-from-a-custom-position
Setting Up a Board Position for Self-Play
Sort:
Thank you. I settled on [another site -- VP] for my Android tablet.
I tried Droidfish Chess, but I couldn't get it to stop playing itself and analyzing moves no matter what I did: IMO, if nothing else, a chess app ought to have an intuitive interface. And I tried Chess by AI Factory Limited. And both of these apps also wanted access to my files, which I wasn't going to grant.
It's too bad I can't play myself with a custom setup on the Chess.com app. (And I'd also like to turn off the "show all the legal moves for this piece" help whenever I touch a piece--IMO that's not chess, that's lazy brain.)
May 30, 2020
0
#4
GullyOak wrote:
All chess books have chess positions and discuss different lines of moves, and frequently the examples don't start at the beginning of a game. I'd like the ability to set up a chess position, and then to play it forward and backwards. But the best I seem to be able to manage with the Chess.com apps is to play a game of "Pass and Play". Unfortunately the game always starts at the beginning (I can't set up pieces as I wish), and if the game ever reaches a checkmate, I can't backtrack and try other moves.
Is there a way to use Chess.com for this kind of self-driven analysis, or should I find another program to do so? (Suggestions?) [I see that there is Learn | Analysis option here on my PC that might work, but I'd really like to use the chess.com app I loaded onto my Android tablet, but it doesn't seem to have the ability to do what I want it to.]
Thank you.
The Android application has a Pass and Play option which can be used to set up a custom position and play through moves. You can also turn off the show legal moves in the app settings under Game.
"The Android application has a Pass and Play option which can be used to set up a custom position and play through moves."
I've looked and looked for how to do this, and couldn't see any option to do so. Do you need the premium version for this?
Also, once you reach checkmate, you can no longer go back and change moves, which is an annoying "feature" if you're just trying out various move combinations. (Sometimes I like to play the main line first before going back and trying other lines: but as it is, I have to start all over again.)
May 30, 2020
0
#6
Version 4.1.3 of the app has the option. I have the beta app but the last general release had it. The old 3.x version (maybe .8) had the play vs Computer option where you could make both sides human and I believe you could set up positions there as well.
I don't know if this will help but what you could do is buy a chessboard and play a game by yourself from there.
Honestly playing Chess by myself allows me to recognize some things, especially when I am analyzing the board. So it is very helpful.
But then again we are talking about an app so yeah.
I have ver 4.1.1, but I can't find a way to setup a specific board layout before playing "Pass and Play". If you know how, I'd love a hint!
And I do own a few chessboards, of course, and I do prefer playing on them: they don't work well when you're reading in bed though, or on a plane (although I don't know when I'll ever dare fly again).
May 30, 2020
0
#9
Tap on Standard and choose Custom
Can't guarantee it's on that version but if it isn't, it should be coming at some point in the near future.
Thank you: yes, I don't have those buttons.
May 31, 2020
0
#11
GullyOak wrote:
Thank you: yes, I don't have those buttons.
You have to tap on Standard to get the options.
Wow, I never would have guessed that from the interface (Type ... Standard), so thank you very much for showing me how to get to it! (Other chess interfaces use "Type" and "Standard" to indicate chess variants, like Bulldog Chess, so I didn't even think about checking this setting.)
(Now is there any way to turn off the feature where, once you reach checkmate, you can't go back and change previous moves?)
May 31, 2020
0
#13
It doesn't look like there is. I just tried a quick position and it immediately closed out at checkmate.
I'll open a suggestion to not close out the game and allow backtracking after mate. Would be nice to be able to grab a PGN after as well.
All chess books have chess positions and discuss different lines of moves, and frequently the examples don't start at the beginning of a game. I'd like the ability to set up a chess position, and then to play it forward and backwards. But the best I seem to be able to manage with the Chess.com apps is to play a game of "Pass and Play". Unfortunately the game always starts at the beginning (I can't set up pieces as I wish), and if the game ever reaches a checkmate, I can't backtrack and try other moves.
Is there a way to use Chess.com for this kind of self-driven analysis, or should I find another program to do so? (Suggestions?) [I see that there is Learn | Analysis option here on my PC that might work, but I'd really like to use the chess.com app I loaded onto my Android tablet, but it doesn't seem to have the ability to do what I want it to.]
Thank you.